In recent years, the battle for the number two spot in the world rankings has resembled the gentle undulation of a lava lamp. Players rise and fall, and others take their place. I counted 11 different players who have occupied that spot over the past decade, all while Magnus Carlsen sits at the apex. The
White to play. Canal – NN, Simultaneous exhibition, 1934. Black has just castled queenside, in a game sometimes referred to as the ‘Peruvian Immortal’. Which move did Canal play to take advantage? Answers should be emailed to chess@spectator.co.uk by Monday 19 June. There is a prize of £20 for the first correct answer out of
In Competition No. 3303, you were invited to submit an explanation of the facts of life by a person from the field of fact or fiction who might be deemed a surprising choice. A commendation to A.R. Duncan-Jones, whose lesson harnessed the reverse chronology of Martin Amis’s Time’s Arrow: ‘Every ejaculation is premature. Well, it
One unclued light (2 words) labels the others (two of 3 words and one of 5 words, each spread across two entries). Across 10 If I could cut down showing contempt for Shakespeare … (4) 14 Dispute what stroke does? (3) 15 We should explain coda? (8) 17 They don’t fly about when filled
The unclued lights are some of the brightest Northern Hemisphere stars. First prize Peter Taylor-Mansfield, Worcester Runners-up Jo Anson, Birmingham; Caroline Arms, Ithaca, NY, USA
